The creation of another 4,374 local jobs took a major step forward this week as detailed plans for the latest phases of Kidbrooke Village were submitted to the Royal Borough of Greenwich. These opportunities will add to the 12,400 jobs already created by Kidbrooke Village over the past five years.
The final phases comprise an additional 782 new homes plus further amenities for the community, including:
- a range of local services including a crèche, bar, coffee shops and restaurants plus a permanent space for Sainsbury's Local supermarket
- reintroduction of buses to the village centre
- an additional 23 acres of new parkland, expanding the 50 acres of parkland and open space already used regularly for events such as the annual village fête
- a 2.35 acre nature conservation area
- the planting of an additional 1,000 mature trees
- healthcare facilities, including a permanent space for the doctors' surgery already on site
- further children's play areas
- a central community hub for residents and the wider community in Kidbrooke
a new, larger Wingfield Primary School, now with three forms per year rather than two, which will be delivered six years earlier than previously planned.
Berkeley Homes has worked with partners, including the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the local community, over the past five years to transform the former Ferrier Estate.
Covering more than 269 acres (109 hectares), the £1 billion plans for Kidbrooke Village will comprise around 4,800 new high-quality homes, shops, community and leisure facilities, and will include a total of 35 hectares of green open space. Over 950 new homes have been delivered to date, including 518 affordable residences and 170 senior living homes, alongside an interim village centre, the brand new Cator Park and other landscaped areas.
Kidbrooke resident Matheus Gehring said: "We've only been living in Kidbrooke for a few weeks but it's been fantastic - we already feel like part of the community. Everyone is very friendly and relaxed - there are always people in Sutcliffe Park and enjoying the other green spaces, and nobody feels too rushed. It's so family friendly, and everyone chats to each other as they walk around the village. We've all been talking about how excited we are to be here.
"Lots of our friends already live in Greenwich, and they're all friends with their neighbours. That's something which is really important to us and was part of the reason we chose Kidbrooke. This is the first time we've lived south of the river and we love it because it feels really different from other parts of London. We're really looking forward to being here as the development grows and more people arrive."
The submitted plans for the detailed design of the last three phases were subject to extensive consultation, with the most recent feedback in July leading to a number of further modifications, including a significant reduction in the heights of various buildings.
Berkeley Homes is investing over £5 million in local transport facilities in the borough including a new railway station for Kidbrooke, which will be in place by 2017. Coupled with an improved bus interchange, reinstated B16 route and new pedestrian routes and cycleways, connections between the village, Blackheath and the surrounding area plus central London could not be easier.
Over a third of the extra 4,374 jobs generated by the final phases will be in construction. Berkeley currently provides training for over 700 young adults across its group through its graduate scheme, apprenticeship places and for those working on GNVQ or equivalent qualifications. Berkeley is also working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and their construction skills centre, on site at Kidbrooke Village, to train local people to employ on the scheme.
Karl Whiteman, divisional managing director of Berkeley Homes, said: "The submission of the final phases takes us a major step closer to completing South East London's newest and most affordable village, generating over 4,000 jobs to add to the 12,400 opportunities already created at Kidbrooke.
"We'd like to thank the local community, council and everyone who participated in the July consultation and really helped us to shape the final plans which will extend the growing community we have at Kidbrooke Village. The Royal Borough of Greenwich is thriving and ever-changing, and it's a very exciting time to play a part in its evolution."
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has experienced a sustained period of popularity and growth thanks to the arrival of Crossrail in 2018 and the council proactively seeking and securing investment across the borough. With its improved transport facilities, South East London has become increasingly attractive as a destination for families, young professionals and older residents alike, keen to take advantage of its tranquil parks, creative communities and good value properties.
The submitted plans will be available to view at the Kidbrooke Village Information Centre and on the Royal Borough of Greenwich website from early October.
If approved, work is expected to start on site in early 2015.
Ends
For further editorial information please contact:
Catherine Grindley / Alyona Levitin
Camargue
+44 (0) 20 7636 7366
cgrindley@camarguepr.com / alevitin@camarguepr.com
Notes to Editors:
Amends to building heights of phases three, five and six
A number of the buildings planned for the forthcoming phases have been reduced in height. The tallest has been reduced from 31 to 25 floors, while, in phase 6, the 18-storey building is now 12 storeys, and the 12-storey is down to eight floors. Across the site the building heights will be stepped down towards the edge of the development to reflect the existing village feel.
Transport Improvements
The new planning application will ensure the delivery of the infrastructure required to allow both sides of the development and the surrounding communities to be easily reached by public transport. Connected to the new railway station, this will create a sustainable transport interchange which improves accessibility and reduces reliance on the private car.